Cricket

Thoughts on Australia vs the West Indies
- Hilfenhaus bowled (with knee tendonitis) in one Test. He got Chris Gayle twice, and Australia dominated the match in a walk over. He missed the next two Tests, including one where Gayle batted right through, and another where he scored 100 runs in 74 balls or something.
- In England, Hilfy consistently got the top order wickets, but did not usually get a chance to bowl at the tail, which was left to Siddle and Johnson (Hilfy had usually been over-bowled at the start of the innings trying to get the wickets Siddle and Johnson couldn't). So while he got three wickets on innings on average, he never got the five-for the Siddle did, and thus did not get quite the recognition.
- I worry that his spot will be taken by Bollinger and the selectors will forget how good Hilfy has been, as a workhorse and as a strike bowler. I know I'm a bit biased as a Tasmanian, but I think the numbers and performances are there.
- Johnson is still not quite there.
- Australia will always give a leg spinner a go. If you're any good, or any chance of being any good, we'll give you a shot. And I think history speaks for itself on why. We might not get the next Shane Warne, but we might get the next Stuart MacGill, and that would be fantastic.
- Cricket needs strong middle-tier teams.Watching the West Indies come together in this series reminded me of what they can bring to world cricket.

Thoughts on Australia vs Pakistan
- Where are the Pakistani stars? It feels weird not having some ridiculously talented batsmen out there.
- Hauritz.... may be better off pitching himself as a low order batsman rather than a "spinner". Cameron White made the same move and it worked out for him.
- It's great seeing Pakistan throwing young players into international cricket. It'll be good experience. I'd like to see Mitchell Marsh given a chance at some stage, probably in a one day match.
- I don't know what the hell Gayle was thinking when he said Ponting couldn't handle short pitched bowling. Punter made his name on short pitched bowling! For crying out loud, he made his debut when the West Indies had some freaking awesome fast bowlers!